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Saturday, 17 December 2011

Homophobia Hall of Shame has a new ‘resident’: Gevorg Altunyan, deputy head of news and analytical programs at Public TV in Armenia ում “առողջ բանականության սահմաններում ընկալելն անհնար է” (using his own words).

You know that things didn't change that much in Armenia when apart from handful of protests/comments on Facebook there have been no complaints sent to Public TV in Armenia after homophobic and transphobic outbursts by 'star commentator' Gevorg Altunyan in his Tesankyun TV programme. He didn't apologise and he still works in Public TV as a “Deputy Head of news and analytical programs”.

Despite all seemingly positive changes and signed documents, the situation with LGBT rights has not moved that far in Armenia. Not that it's news, but below is just another indication of the reality that many face in Armenia.

Reeling from his mother's suicide, seventeen-year-old Alex Bainbridge retreats from the world around him, often finding solace on a secluded island behind his house. As an Armenian-American living in a small Southern town, Alex struggles to fit in. His close friendship with the outspoken Jillian Dambro is his only saving grace, until he meets and falls in love with Robby LaMont - an introverted new student at school. As the year unfolds and the lives of the adults around them unravel, the three teens form an unbreakable bond, vowing to do anything to stay together - even if it means leaving everything behind. (Amazon)

When I received the info on this book, I became curious to find out: Why did the author choose for his main character to be Armenian-American? Any specific reasons for that?

I asked these questions directly to David-Matthew Barnes. He explained to Unzipped: Gay Armenia his motivation to make the main character of Swimming to Chicago an Armenian-American teen:

“When I started writing SWIMMING TO CHICAGO, I knew I wanted to explore a culture and society that had not been given the attention and focus it deserved, especially where teenagers are concerned.

I considered making the character of Alex an Iranian-American teen, mostly due to my emotional response to the execution of Ayaz Marhoni and Mahmoud Asgari. But, I felt their story was told beautifully by Jay Paul Deratany in his stage play HARAM IRAN.

I continued researching and soon discovered articles about gay rights (or the lack of) in Armenia. The more I read, the more I became certain that Alex needed to be Armenian-American. Most importantly, because - to my knowledge - a young adult novel written by an American author has never featured a gay Armenian teen character as its protagonist. I hope that not only Armenian-American teens will identify with Alex, but also other young people from conservative cultures would as well.

While working on the novel, I found and read an article. This motivated and inspired me to write Alex's story. I knew it was one that needed to be told.”
***

Selected for 'Best of the Books' by The Washington Blade!

"I love books that can destroy their own labels...Davud-Matthew Barnes' marvelous Swimming to Chicago will doubtless be put on the YA shelf...a well-told tale...that will engross readers of all ages...riveting..."
Jerry Wheeler, Out in Print

"A beautiful love story told from a host of different perspectives which allows us to truly appreciate the interconnectivity of our world."
Carsen Taite, Author of Nothing but the Truth and Do Not Disturb

"With what has been happening with our gay youth, David-Matthew Barnes gives us a book that is so important...It is not often that I come upon a book that pulls me in so completely...it could be a combination of wonderfully drawn characters, a terrific plot and great writing. Barnes gives us three terrific characters in Alex, Robby and Jillian...I found myself cheering our heroes on and wanting to take them by the hands and lead them through."
Amos Lassen, Reviews by Amos Lassen

"Is there a way to give a book six stars? Because this book is definitely 5-plus...David-Matthew Barnes writes beautifully, his characters are vivid and his plot is a winding road of twists and turns...I cared so much about the characters, I couldn't stop reading...This is a lovely, lovely read..."
D. Jackson Leigh, author of Call Me Softly and Long Shot

"The author’s knack for dialogue is indicative of his experience as a playwright. Conversations are honest, gritty, and profound, and most importantly, germane to the story and its outcome."
Christopher Verleger, EDGE

"This was a heartbreaking story...I enjoyed the book. It made me think once again about how we need to fight for acceptance...this book highlighted the need to stop bullying and the fears gay high school students have when deciding whether or not to reveal their sexuality."
Lilly Road

"Like many teenagers, Alex just wants to belong and to be truly liked...Swimming to Chicago provides twists, shock and escape..."
Amy Steele, Entertainment Realm

I asked award winning cinematographer Norayr Kasper to comment on the uniqueness of the combination of Diaspora Armenian making Turkish film on a gay-themed subject and winning the prize for it in Turkey.

Says Norayr Kasper: “Naturally, there are connotations regarding the reality of me working there; this is a complex question to discuss. Ultimately, this award is about my work as a cinematographer, not as an Armenian. And above all else, this is about artists coming together to work on an important human rights issue, freedom of expression, and making a difference through our collaboration, which transcends borders and identity.”

Gay-themed 'Zenne Dancer' Wins Awards at Antalya Film Fest
The drama, from directors M.Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay, deals with homosexuals in the Turkish military.

ANTALYA – The 48th edition of the International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival ended this weekend with a surprising four awards for M.Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay’s Zenne Dancer, a first-time feature that deals with homosexuals in and outside the Turkish military. While the film was almost universally dismissed by international critics and festival guests, its hot-button topic led to a 10-minute standing ovation at its premiere screening and an all-female jury honoring it as Best First Film, along with awards for Best Cinematography (Norayr Casper), Best Supporting Actor (Erkan Avci) and Best Supporting Actress (Tilbe Saran). [...]
***Hurriyet

'Zenne Dancer' stirs controversy on taboo subject

The award-winning Turkish feature “Zenne” (Zenne Dancer) will hit screens in mid-January. For the handful of people that have seen advanced screenings of the movie, however, it is already promising to be yet another litmus test of mainstream Turkish attitudes toward a prominent taboo: homosexuality.

The film’s controversial nature arises from its blunt tackling of homosexuality in its relation to traditions, family, state and the military. Co-directed by M. Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay, the film won five Golden Oranges at the recent Golden Orange Film Festival, Turkey’s most prestigious film event. “Zenne” took home the Best Film Award, the Turkish Cinema Critics Guild’s Best Debut Feature Award, as well as honors for cinematography and best supporting actor and actress.

“Zenne” is based on the true story of Ahmet Yıldız, a young gay man who was allegedly gunned down by his father in July 2008 after coming out. Ahmet’s father has yet to be tried for the alleged murder. [...]

Zenne Dancer, a groundbreaking Turkish indie feature film, won five awards at the largest film festival in Turkey. Norayr Kasper, a Canadian cinematographer of Armenian descent, was awarded Best Cinematography. The film also received the Best Film Award by the Turkish Cinema Critics Guild, Best First Film, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.

Zenne Dancer sets Ahmet Yildiz’s tragedy against a backdrop of rigid patriarchy and the clash between traditional values and urban modernity. It is the first Turkish feature film to expose the degrading treatment of homosexuals in the Turkish military. Ahmet Yildiz was 26 when he was gunned down outside his home. Ahmet’s father, who is being tried in absentia for allegedly murdering his son, has been evading justice for the past three years.

“I am honored to receive this recognition of my work by the Golden Orange jury,” says Norayr Kasper, who is the cinematographer of over 30 films, including Atom Egoyan’s CALENDAR. “Mehmet and Caner involved me from the beginning stages of this project and invited me to contribute with a specific style toward constructing a distinct visual narrative,” continues Kasper, “their sensibilities, dedication to excellence, and attention to detail greatly impressed me. I was also drawn to the subject matter, and its relevance in raising awareness of this important issue.”

Kasper and Binay met in 2008 at the Golden Apricot Film Festival in Armenia. Binay’s documentary film “Whispering Memories,” which tells the story of converted Armenians as a result of the Armenian Genocide, was screened at the 5th Annual Golden Apricot Film Festival.

The awards ceremony was broadcasted nationwide and in Europe on NTV News Channel. Among online comments, award-winning novelist Elif Safak wrote about Zenne Dancer, “a groundbreaking, captivating Turkish movie that’ll speak to our consciousness.”
It is worth noting that Harutyun Khachatryan’s documentary “Border” won Best Film at the Golden Orange Film Festival in 2009.

Co-director Mehmet Binay accepted the award on Mr. Kasper’s behalf and thanked him for “painting this film as a tableau.”

The Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival congratulates Norayr Kasper for his award.

Thursday, 1 December 2011

Publication Date: November 21, 2011.Description: A catalogue of art works and texts that have shaped the Queering Yerevan movement. It includes documentation from various exhibitions and art happenings, photography, critical texts, excerpts from experimental writing, fragments from the QY blog, and email correspondence from 2007-2011.Languages: Armenian and English.Contributors: Artists, writers, cultural critics, and activists who have worked or associated in some capacity with the QY collective.Publisher: Tigran Mets Press.

This pair of Iranian footballers got suspended for lengthy periods and fined heavily for ‘immoral’ goal celebration. There were even suggestions that they may face lashes.

Two leading Iranian football players face floggings for celebrating goals in a manner the regime deems immoral.

Mohammed Nosrati appeared to place his hand on the buttocks of Sheys Rezaei as members of the Persepolis team, based in Tehran, jumped on each other to celebrate the winning goal in their 3-2 victory over rivals Damash last Saturday. Earlier in the game, which was watched by millions of Iranians on live television, Rezaei appeared to touch the bottom of another teammate, Alireza Noormohammadi, though he insists he was just trying to tickle him.

The Iranian football federation swiftly suspended both players and fined them nearly $40,000 (£25,000) each. But a Tehran judge, Valiallah Hosseini, has now suggested that they should be imprisoned and lashed as well.

“The two players should definitely be charged and sentenced according to Islamic punishment to two months prison and 74 lashes,” he said. Describing their behaviour as a “breach of public chastity”, he continued: “Even if a husband and wife conduct themselves inappropriately in public they are punishable (but) the two players have behaved like this in front of thousands in the stadium and television cameras.” [...] (The Times)

As per latest news, at least one of the players is reportedly seeking his career abroad.

While Nosrati is still under contract with Persepolis, Rezaei was released by the club. The former Persepolis captain, who had repeatedly violated the disciplinary code of the club in the past, reportedly is seeking his luck abroad now.

I’d say, ban football altogether. It’s sooo homoerotic.

But there is more to ridiculous being of Iranian regime.

Recent reports by Amnesty brought to our attention the issue of ‘legal male haircuts’. Apparently, there are only limited number of male haircuts that are ‘approved by state’ in Iran.

The Iranian government dictates which haircuts are acceptable for its citizens. This week's clip from Amnesty TV looks at which styles are approved by the state. The Simon Cowell, the lesser Simon Cowell and the Elvis are pretty safe. But don't even think of trying a mullet or ponytail. (watch the video on The Guardian)